Queensberry PromotionsCarlos Adames, the current WBC middleweight beltholder, has reaffirmed he’s moving up to the super middleweight division. He first announced this in March and his latest declaration came this week, the day after WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman told BoxingScene that Adames was staying at 160lbs.
“I believe he’s going to remain at 160,” Sulaiman said. “There was some talk of him going to 168. Two or three weeks ago I spoke to his promoter, and they confirmed that he’s going to remain at 160.”
Those plans have changed again, it seems.
On Saturday, the 25-1-1 (18 KOs) Adames posted on social media: “I’m not the kind of fighter who picks and chooses opponents. I’ve always had it the hard way, and everything I’ve achieved has come through sacrifice and hard work. I already announced that I’m moving up to 168. Going straight after the toughest fighter in the division.”
By Wednesday, however, it appeared that his mission had been unsuccessful.
“Let me say it again: I’m moving up to 168,” he wrote. “Two fighters have already turned down the fight. That’s embarrassing… And they’re champions.”
The current roll call of super middleweight beltholders is Osleys Iglesias (IBF), Jaime Munguia (WBA), Christian Mbilli (WBC) and Hamzah Sheeraz (WBO). The last of those, England’s Sheeraz, was deemed exceptionally lucky to salvage a draw with Adames in a middleweight bout in February 2025. In his only action since, Adames proved too good for Austin Williams over 12 in March this year.
Mbilli is set to defend against the comebacking Saul “Canelo” Alvarez on September 12 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
“Everyone wants to take the easy path and that’s exactly why these fights never happen,” Adames, 27, said. “I’m ready for anybody at 168. Name the opponent.”
